X200 - adding a bluetooth module

Perhaps you ordered an x200 and you didn't get the bluetooth option. Maybe you decided later on that you wanted to add it but thought in hindsight you couldn't change anything. Well you can. This is my little guide on how to install bluetooth modules in the x200 (not sure if the x200s would apply but you can look at the parts diagrams on the lenovo site and see if it looks like my pictures. If the option is available (which it is) then it should work.

Installing a BlueTooth 2.0 EDR Card Module
Lenovo LCD Diagram - http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70520.html

Step1: Obtain module. I bought mine on ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Lenovo-ThinkPad...ptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Cheaper: http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/371-38624-6931/Bluetooth_Module_IBM_Thinkpad_R61i_Series.html

It is really tiny!...it looks like the size of a USB flash drive in the picture, but it has to fit in your bezel (on the left bottom side)!

Step2:

So this is the laptop...you see those circle coverings on the bottom of the LCD bezel (3 of them). Remove them with a tiny flat head screw driver or somehow! They are sticky and just pop out.



Step3:

After you have removed the plastic coverings. You will see the screws. Remove those with a smaller-sized Phillips head.



Step4:
This is the trickier part. You will need to unsnap the plastic bezel all around the face of the LCD. I think it is easiest to start from the bottom left where you unscrewed one of the screws. And slowly pry it up (with a thin flat head). It unsnaps all along it. Don't be too rough but you will need to keep popping it up. You CAN break off the plastic tabs under the bezel if you keep messing around too much. Just be slow about it. Or...you could just lift it up in the corner (plastic is very bendy).




Step5:

There is a little cushion. And the ribbon you plug in the module. Now you want to lift up the ribbon so you can easily plug in the module. I found that there isn't quite enough height on the cushion so I put in a thin layer of a foam wrapping my module came in (like 2mm thick). There is also a washer that I removed to make it easier to fit inside the bezel. You will probably want to fold the paper under the module as well so it doesn't stick upwards.


And you are done. Boot it up, install the drivers if you don't have them. And make sure your windows BT service is enabled.

Warning: You will probably loosen your LCD bezel a little bit if you do this. It is snug from the factory but you DO have to remove it so it might have a little bit of horizontal wiggle. Not really a big deal to me (it isn't falling apart or anything...and it doesn't lift up). I also accidentally broke some of the tabs off my LCD bezel. Again not a huge deal, it still snapped into place. But just a warning just in case.

 

a bit too risky IMO. $40 isn't exactly a steal either.. but i guess the option is there for those that MUST install it themselves instead of getting a USB BT receiver. $9.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875999268

 

still gave ya a good rating tho

 

Yeah Nice pictures!

 

Nice write up with pics.

Btw, when you had the bezel off, could you confirm something for me. Is the lid primarly metal (ie: magnesium alloy)? And second, is that horizontal bar that runs across the top of the lid/screen (ie: just below the "lenovo" logo) plastic?

Your "warning" reminds me of those drug commercial "side effects may include" run ons. LOL.
=D

 

thank you, Jaredy.

 

I was looking for that in my body - know I know why I couldn't find it. Thanks!

 

I guess this helps explain why the bezel is so wide in the x200 series. Putting wiring for WLAN, WWAN, UWB, Cameras, etc. in there, plus adding modules for bluetooth, cameras, etc. is definitely going to make it wide. My old T40 had almost no bezel around the screen, but WLAN was the only thing it had, so the screen could probably fill the entire lid.

 

I think directly BEHIND the screen is the cover. There is no easy way to automatically tell from looking at it with the bezel off because all surrounding it is basically plastic with stuff in it (mounting, wireless stuff, cables). The top bar is indeed plastic with the camera in it.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70520.html

Check out the parts list and you can see from the diagram how it is put together. Part 5 is the main backing. That i think is reinforced.

 

Sorry, I thought you could tell the material of the cover by the edge of the lid/cover that is exposed with the bezel off.

Just curious, but do you know weither it is a class 1 or class 2 module?

 

Ya sorry I can't really give a clear answer about the cover. I just see the metal around the screen. I didn't lift it up at all. But I believe the reinforcing material is a mixture of polycarbon and magnesium, is it not? Sorry I couldn't help.

And I am not sure on the class. I would assume class2 if it was between 1 and 2...

Btw I think you guys can pick up the module a lot cheaper, here:
http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/371-38624-6931/Bluetooth_Module_IBM_Thinkpad_R61i_Series.html

 

Awesome pics, thanks you for the guide.

 

The lid is made of magnesium alloy, it is coated in a black rubberized finish with additional magnesium oxide layer.... It isn't particular strong, and would definitely benefit from a honeycomb supporting structure.

 

Sorry for the bump but I wasn't sure whether to ask in another poster's thread or in this one. I figured here would be better since people who are looking to add the bluetooth module to their non-bluetooth X200 may wonder as well and that is:

Did you bother changing the clear plate to the one with the bluetooth icon? It's not really that important but visually seeing whether the bluetooth is on or off is pretty useful for someone like me. And do you by any chance know how the bluetooth icon would light up knowing that our X200 never came with it [bluetooth bulb?] ?

 

To me at least, the clear plate is useful. Since I use my Bluetooth mainly for a wireless mouse and like to turn things off on battery to conserve power, it gives me a quick indicator if it's on or not. There are also some Ebay sellers that sell both the Bluetooth module as well as the clear plate, and it's a pretty easy swap anyway.

All the LED lights are on the display inverter and are already there. You might not have the clear plate with the Bluetooth symbol on it, but the LED for it is still there.

 

Sweet I didn't know all of the LED lights were already there because I have never taken apart my laptop before, thanks! Now I'm less hesitant to add the Bluetooth module in the future. Rep to you and to Jaredy for the write-up!